'Social prescribing helped save my life'
BBCWhen she realised she was about to lose her job, Tracy Moore says her mental health hit "rock bottom".
The 55-year-old, from Leicestershire, said she felt abandoned and even considered taking her life, but instead sought the advice of her GP, who in turn sent her to a social prescriber - a decision she believes saved her life.
Social prescribing is a person-centred approach that connects individuals to community activities, groups, and services to improve their mental health.
This can include anything from singing with a choir or volunteering with a cattery to support with household bills.
The Hinckley and Bosworth Medical Alliance, which represents 12 GP surgeries in the county, estimates that issuing social prescriptions has saved it £70,000 in GP time through reduced repeat appointments over the past year.
Tracy said her mental health plunged while going through redundancy.
"I needed to work to keep my brain active," she said. "I'd worked since I was 15 so the thought of not having a job devastated me.
"I wouldn't have been here if they hadn't intervened at the time they did.
"My social prescriber, Molly, listened to me, to find out what was at the root of my depression and suicidal throughts. Having someone to listen to me was just amazing."
In Tracy's case, volunteering for the NHS as a patient advisor gave her the sense of purpose she needed to improve her mental health.
"It changed my life completely, I can't thank them enough," she said.
Lucy Moore, who shares Tracy's surname but is not related, manages the Social Prescribing team at Hinckley and Bosworth Medial Alliance.
She said social prescribing had resulted in patients seeking fewer follow-up appointments - freeing up slots for people with other conditions.
"One in five GP appointments are not for patients' medical health but for their social health and mental wellbeing," she said.
"We listen to the patient, we can direct them to a social or exercise group and even go with them if needed. Whatever their interest is, we can help.
"But the best thing is that people like Tracy have had their lives transformed."
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